Though this article at CRM Daily, written by Tim Searcy is focused on the callcenter world, the 7 points raised are true for all areas of business operations.
Cutting costs, reducing investments, replacing key/successful people with automation, reducing training and development, and avoiding risk are NOT the way to operate a successful business in times like these. There are tremendous opportunities out there – after all, your own customers are giving you a long, hard look because they are defining value differently than they did when they started doing business with you. So not only do you need to stay on top of your customers’ changing needs and expectations, but you have a tremendous opportunity at capturing your competitions’ customer base as well!!
Eighty-four percent of CEOs polled by the Business Council expect the second half of 2009 to be marked by declining or sharply declining economic activity, according to the group’s survey released Tuesday.
But only 17.6 percent expect business conditions in their own industry to deteriorate over the next six months, down from 53.5 percent in January.
This little ray of sunshine comes from U.S. CEOs See Slump Moderating – But No Rebound Until 2010. Interesting – the sky is falling but not in my own industry?!
Here’s the deal – the rebound will come and no one knows when so you had better be ready to be the first to take advantage of any rebound so you can grab market share. And the best way to do it is to work smart during the recession – avoid those common mistakes and position your business for short term wins as well as long term profitability.
